According to legend, this is the place that inspired the paradisiacal setting of Alex Garland’s  dystopian novel The Beach. When you’re standing on the talc-like sand, surrounded by towering, craggy cliffs (you’ll have to swim through a narrow gap to access this slice of heaven), it’s easy to understand why the author was inspired to write a whole tome about this hidden gem. The entrance to this remote idyll is accessible only by boat, and a half-day private tour from El Nido is the easiest way to add it to your itinerary.

Often referred to as ‘The Maldives of Hong Kong’, this collection of four turquoise bays (Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan) curves around the eastern coastline. The cove isn’t as remote as its idyllic conditions suggest: it takes just 20-minutes by taxi or a 30-minute speedboat ride from Hong Kong’s bustling city centre. The journey there gives experienced hikers just enough time to pull on some walking boots for the 12-kilometre walking trail, which puts the lush green hills and electric blue bays of the High Island Reservoir on display as it winds through the 150-square-kilometre UNESCO-listed geopark.

Located off the coast of Surigao del Norte province and shaped like a teardrop, Guyam Island is situated 780 kilometres southeast of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The water’s visibility is so perfect it draws divers and snorkelers from all over; the best way to access these crystal calm swimming spots is via an island-hopping boat tour from Siargao. Most journeys will also stop by Daku Island and Naked Island and all in all, should take half a day to complete.

Bohey Dulang island is part of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, accessible only by boat from Malaysia’s north-eastern tip of Borneo. Formed by an ancient volcano, the resulting crater-shaped reef that surrounds it has been transformed into an incredible bowl-shaped lagoon that looks straight from the set of a science fiction film. The whole scene is best taken in from Bohey Dulang’s peak, which requires 30 minutes (and some decent shoes) to summit.

Close your eyes and picture paradise: it might look a little like White Beach on Boracay, a stretch of isles in the Philippines dotted with foliage and glittering with sand that lives up to its name. A 15-minute boat ride from Caticlan on Panay Island will bring you to the resort-lined oasis, where we suggest ordering a seaside Buko juice – the Philippine English name for young coconut water – while pinching yourself.

While the beaches on Langkawi Island get a lot of attention, it’s what lies in the ocean beyond that really sets it apart. Known for its mild waters and year-round diving (where you’ll likely come eye-to-eye with lobsters, clownfish, turtles and jellyfish) as well as the island-hopping on offer through the surrounding Langkawi Archipelago of the same name, this tropical wonderland off the coast of mainland Malaysia is accessible by air or ferry, the latter of which will take you just under three hours from neighbouring Penang.

Named for the sacred nearby cave that’s revered by locals as home to a princess-goddess, Phra Nhang Beach gets busy for good reason. The view from the powdery sand takes in majestic limestone expanses reaching skyward from the green Andaman Sea – well worth the short journey via a speedboat tour from Krabi or 15-minute long tail boat ride from nearby Ao Nang in Thailand’s far west.

Cascading bougainvillaea and swimming-pool blue waters have made Koggala on Sri Lanka’s south coast an increasingly popular destination for tropical holidaymakers in recent years. Reachable in just over two hours by car from Colombo, there’s more than one body of water worth visiting while you’re in the area. Lake Koggala, just a few hundred metres away from the beach of the same name, is dotted with several islets, some of which host historic Buddhist temples, which can be visited with prior permission or as part of a tour.

Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Phu Quoc is well-loved by locals and travellers alike, with its icing sugar sand (and offshore treasures) earning it the nickname ‘Pearl Island’. Several flights per day depart from Ho Chi Minh City and once you’re here, watching the waves roll in along the 20 kilometre-long shoreline – the island’s famed Long Beach – is the perfect way to settle into bliss.

Although mostly landlocked, Cambodia does have one glorious corner of coast, and just off the shore is Koh Rong, an island known for coral reefs, calm waters and tucked-away waterfalls. The beachfront at Koh Touch in the island’s southeast is dotted with cheerful bungalow-huts and restaurants where cocktails, music and the smell of grilled seafood mingle to create an ideal ambience at dusk.

Wedged between Krabi and Ao Nang on Thailand’s southern Malay peninsula and surrounded by jutting limestone cliffs that dramatically cut it off from the mainland, Railay Beach is a coastal oasis accessible only by boat (long tails from Ao Nang take about 15 minutes). It’s worth the effort though; the sight of glass-clear water reflecting edged verdant jungle is heavenly.

Lauded as one of Asia’s most spectacular beaches, Ngapali (pronounced ‘Napally’) Beach on Myanmar’s west coast is fringed by palms leaning oceanward over its turquoise waters. Dotted with eateries ranging from casual huts serving fresh seafood to more high-end offerings with price tags to match, it’s hard to believe this pristine setting is located less than 20 minutes south by taxi from Thandwe Airport.

With gently swaying coconut trees and a laid back vibe, Uppuveli Beach captures the coastal vibe that Sri Lanka is famous for. Just over four hours via taxi from the capital of Colombo or 90 minutes from the ancient city of Sigiriya, it’s a place to stay put – unless you're here at low tide, when you can walk across the northern end of the beach on which Salli Muthumariamunam Kovil,  an ornate beachfront Hindu temple, is perched.

The Hong Islands, a tiny collection of limestone islets off the edge of Thailand’s coastal Krabi region – accessible via a 30-minute long tail boat ride – is where you’ll find Ko Lao Lading. The dreamlike lagoon appears more like something generated by artificial intelligence than real life. If you think the pictures of tourmaline water rimmed with blinding white sand are impressive, wait until you’re floating in it.

Although it’s picturesque at all times of day, there’s something special about twilight at Goa’s Agonda Beach; a clean length of sand dotted with huts and eateries on India’s west coast. When the amber light filters through the leaning palms, even the energy from nearby bars can’t compete with the show. While strong tides will keep you from swimming, Agonda is wonderful to explore on foot, particularly if you make your way to the northern end, where a turtle nesting centre protects the eggs of olive ridley sea turtles, one of the smallest species in the world.

Off the coast of Kyushu and about three hours by high-speed boat from Kagoshima, Yakushima Island is home to some of the oldest rainforest trees in the world and, if you’re here between October and April, loggerhead sea turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs. Isso Beach is one of the safest spots for a dip on the island, with change room facilities and lifeguard patrols in the summer months. Directly across the other side of the peninsula, via a short walk through the carpark, you’ll find excellent snorkelling off the rocks.

The landscape on South Korea’s Jeju Island, directly south of the mainland, has been shaped by millennia of volcanic activity from the now dormant Hallasan volcano. Hyeopjae Beach, in the island’s west, is unlike its neighbouring black beaches – it’s populated with fine, white sand and the only evidence of geothermal activity are the clusters of lava stone strewn along the shorebreak.

A jewel on Sri Lanka’s south coast is Hiriketiya Beach, favoured by surfers for its clean breaks and, for the rest of us, its crescent-shaped shoreline backed by palm trees and seafood eateries. From Colombo, it’s just over two-and-a-half hours in the car, which you’ll leave behind as you take in the charm of this walkable surf village, where board rental places are as plentiful as wave sets. Don’t miss a sundowner at Instafamous bar Smoke and Bitters – the Old & Smoked cocktail mixes Ceylon bitters with the heady flavours of local chai.

Don’t be fooled by the appearance or the name of this artificial beach on Okinawa Island in the far south of Japan’s geographical scatter. This uniquely shaped expanse of sand resembles a butterfly and sparkles with royal blue water, despite its moniker. The popular beach is just over 90 minutes from Naha Airport, the gateway to Japan’s unexpected tropical escape.

Is this the Gold Coast? Or perhaps Rio’s Copacabana? No, this is Haeundae Beach, one of South Korea’s most beloved tourist destinations and an unexpected natural gem backdropped by the city of Busan, a metropolis in the country’s southern tip. An hour by air from Seoul or just over three-and-a-half hours via train and bus, sun-seekers flock to this corner of South Korea year-round.

Padang Padang Beach in the southwest region of Uluwatu can be difficult to access due to the steep path winding down its surrounding cliffs, but it doesn’t deter those with a passion for hitting the waves. The small, sheltered beach has a reputation for being one of the best surf spots in Bali but here, even beginners can find success on its clean, easy breaks if they stick to the right hand side.

The largest island in the Con Dao archipelago off the south coast of Vietnam, Con Son hides some of the country’s best diving and shipwreck-spotting opportunities. Parrotfish and turtles thrive amid its healthy fringing of reefs. It also offers some stellar stays – few are more impressive than Six Senses Con Dao, where guests have access to the smooth waters off Bai Dat Doc, a kilometre-long reach of soft sand nestled at the foot of a rocky mountain.

Hulhumale Beach in The Maldives is so unspoiled you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a postcard. Swings and hammocks dot the shoreline, tempting travellers into repose, with a sprinkle of restaurants nearby to grab a meal (take note, alcohol and bikinis are prohibited on this sunny stretch – this is a local’s beach). A ferry from nearby Male is the quickest way to reach this little gem – it takes around 20 minutes. 

Powder-soft sand that expands to 50 metres wide in some sections makes spending the day dipping in and out the calm, Tiffany-box blue waters of Radhanagar Beach on India’s Havelock Island (in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago) an exercise in tranquillity. While there’s a wealth of activities to keep visitors occupied – from kayaking to game fishing and beyond – the ideal way to spend time here, 90-minutes from Port Blair on South Andaman Island by ferry, is a simple wander down the shoreline will suffice.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the black sands and deep turquoise waters of Macau’s Hac Sa Beach are the picture of serenity (and it’s less than 20 minutes from the centre of Macau by taxi). Upon arrival, follow the locals – around lunchtime, they’ll likely be heading to Fernando’s Restaurant. This cheerful and rustic Portuguese joint serves a slew of traditional dishes, spanning suckling pig to fava bean stew and is a favourite of Macau residents who make use of its shaded beer garden in the warmer months.

Golden shores, colourful boats and local fisherman hauling their nets from the azure sea; Kumarakom Beach – an hour-and-a-half by car from Kochi on India’s southwestern coast – is the kind of place that crystallises into a travel memory as soon as you set eyes on it. Although there's no sandback to speak of, this beach has its own merits, easily appreciated while watching the sunset over the water with a Kingfisher Lager in hand.

The Ultimate Way to Experience the Kimberley